Belukha mountain is the highest point of Altay and Siberia, one of the highest mountains of Russia: its altitude is 4506 metres above the sea level. Moreover, Belukha is an ultimatively beautiful mountain: it draws attention of artists and travellers, tourists and scientists, writers and fun-seekers veey year. The Buddhists and Russian Old-Believers think it is a sacred place, and gates to Shambala are situated here. In 1998 Belukha was included into the UNESCO World Natural Heritage List.

Geography

Belukha mountain, 4506 metres above the sea level, is situated at regular intervals from tree oceans, Pacific, Indian and Atlantic, in other words, in the centre of Eurasia continent. It is the highest mountain of Katun range of the Central Altai. It is situated not far from the frontier between Russia and Kazakhstan. It has three white peaks, covered with ice and snow, and its Russian name means its white color. Another names of mountain are Turkic: Katyn-Badzhi (peak of Katun), Ak-Suru (madnificent), Musdutuu (ice mountain), Uch-Airy (mountain with three branches).

The climate of Belukha rock massif is severe: the winter is characterized with winds and – 20 C frosts, summer is short and rainy, sometimes with snowfalls. 169 glaciers cover area of about 150 square kilometres. A few rivers, including Katun itself, very popular among the raftsmen rise here, on Belukha.

Among the species, living and to be seen there, are lynx, snow leopard and wild goat. All in all, Belukha is a good place for active tourism and a very beautiful place. But it is also believed to be a sacred place.

Legends

The local Turkic legends say that goddess Umai lives there. In other legends there are three gods living there, one for each peak. Ingenious Altai peoples stay away from it because of that. The Buddhists respect this place and believe that Buddha Gautama came to India from here. It is also supposed that mysterious Shambala, the land of blessed, which is hidden from the prophane eyes and can be opened only for those who is pure in mind and body. The Russian Old-Believers who escaped to Siberia in 17 - 19 centuries believed that Belovodye (Land of the White Waters), also the land of blessed is situated there.

The Russian artist, writer and thinker Nokolay Roerich visited Belukha in the beginning of the 20th century, studying the origins of Buddhism. He made this place famous having painted it many-many times. They say he has almost found Shambala... Now thousands of his followers go to Altai to have a look and maybe to climb on the sacred mountain. Follwers of esotery also think that this mountain is the hub of the universe, connected with Everest mountain with an energy bridge. It is a point of direct connection with Cosmos as well. It sounds inmressively, although the universe is not limited in the frontiers of Eurasia and nobody knows which provider realizes this connection.

Belukha mountain is very popular among the Russian and CIS tourists, but it is worth your noticing as well.

Find more about Altai....

Yulia Buzykina
www.altaitravel.ru
www.ruschudo.ru
www.adventa.kz